While in Istanbul, we have decided to
visit Pamukkale meaning ‘cotton castle’ in south-western Turkey. Terraced pools, mineral forests, petrified
cascades - did we detour to the moon? No - this is a little village called
Pamukkale where waters full of calcite from springs in the cliffs above have
surfaced through a fault line to create this unreal landscape. The ruins of the
Greek town and thermal spa called Hieropolis can also be seen here and was once
built on top of the cotton castle. The hot springs were used as a spa since the
2nd century BC. Ancient legends say that St Phillip came here to convert the
locals and was crucified here.
Sadly, the pools are running dry as the
natural cycle of the underground springs has been altered partly I think
because of the construction of the spa in ancient times and deforestation
through the ages. The park authorities now divert water artificially to keep
sections of this place wet, alternating water flow throughout the week. I
notice that the cliffs above are devoid of any vegetation. I wonder if they focused
on planting (rather than plumbing) and improved infiltration in the aquifers in
the eroded cliffs above if those underground springs would run freely once more?
It is a stunning
place and visitors are allowed to walk in the pools as long as they take their
shoes off. The water is not as hot as I
would have accepted but the landscape is stunning and I enjoy walking around
taking photos as much as I enjoy relaxing in the pools!
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